DC (5)

Squeak!

The wheelchair moved closer and closer forward.

The figure of Ferzen, who was sitting right in front of her, seeped into her purple eyes

Hic Heuk!

Lizzy hiccuped violently. At the same time, she curled her body and wrapped her hands around herself like a child under a blanket.

It was a reflexive defense mechanism based on survival instinct.

Seeing her appearance, Ferzen only glanced at his watch calmly.

Even though It was obvious that she wasnt in a state where she could take the test, Ferzen cruelly pretended that he didnt see it.

Lizzy.

Ah Haeu! U-ugh!

Lets start the test.

Ferzens voice reached her ears, but Lizzy couldnt understand a word he said.

She just trembled as if she was convulsing and shed endless tears without making any sound.

Wiggle!

At the sight of Lizzy acting so pitifully and weakly in front of him, Ferzen couldnt stop the corner of his mouth from curling up.

Beyond the open window, people passed by.

Outside the door, the students, who had finished their test, and the knights, were having a lively conversation.

The fact that her trauma engulfed her to the point where she was shaking like this meant that his presence had taken root inside her deeper than before.

Ill have to admit it.

For a while now, even though he didnt show it, Ferzen had been quite annoyed with Lizzy.

Because, in all likelihood, she would have become one of the contributing factors that helped Ciel Midford pierce the villains heart.

And when she would overcome her own trial, her light would shine so brightly that it could blind those who live in the shadows.

But now, he didnt feel any annoyance from Lizzy Poliana Claudia anymore.

Rather, he pitied her.

She was a chick that had broken the eggshell but failed to leave.

A worm that failed to metamorphose into a butterfly.

It was only after he thoroughly put her in her place with his own hands, making sure that she could never bare her teeth to him anymore

Only then was Ferzen able to look at the pitiful girl in front of him as a human being.

Do you need more time?

Gasp!

Lizzy still didnt respond despite Ferzens words which were full of kindness. She only shed more tears.

Rather than getting used to this situation as time went by, Lizzys mind kept getting occupied by the image of Ferzen, who had violated her mercilessly.

Therefore, his voice and the subtle smell of the luxurious perfume he wore became a catalyst that reminded her of her nightmare.

The fact that she was still conscious and not fainting could be regarded as a miracle in itself.

This is strange. Im sure you want me to act like a professor.

If that is not the case

Do you want to be treated as the daughter of the Claudia family Rather than a student?

Ah Ah

Whisper!

For the first time, Lizzy understood Ferzens words that had entered her ears.

She hurriedly opened the subspace through her own altar and took out the coffin that contained the corpse which had been provided to her by the academy.

Thump-!!

The coffin half-opened due to roughly falling to the floor.

Lizzy used her unstable magic on the corpse lying inside.

Her fear-tinged purple eyes, barely stared at Ferzens toes.

Seeing that, Ferzen leisurely radiated his own magic and interfered with her control over the corpse.

Lizzys synchronization rate which he saw through his digitization ability was overwhelming compared to the 13 other students who took the test earlier.

However, it still took him a mere second to seize control from her.

This pathetic and futile scene was due to how unstable her connection was with the corpse.

But this didnt anger Lizzy. She didnt even consider protesting.

She was just dying to get out of this hellish room as soon as possible.

However

It may not be fair to tell you in advance, but congratulations. You got the best score, Lizzy.

At Ferzens unexpected words, Lizzy bit his lip.

D-dont

Pity

Even if she didnt say it out loud, she knew better than anyone just how miserable and pitiful she was.

Therefore, what she wanted from Ferzen was contempt and ridicule, not sympathy.

There was no way a person who could feel pity for others would do such a cruel thing in the first place.

Ha Ahaha

There was nothing more painful and disgraceful than to mock someone with such hypocrisy.

Do it

As you like

In the end, Lizzy, who had accepted her fate, turned her gaze which had barely stayed on his toes.

And Ferzen, who laughed inwardly at those words, rose from the chair.

Flinch!

Do you think this is a treatment stemming from pity?

He Heuk! Keheuk!

Ferzen, who moved closer to her, touched the armrest of Lizzys wheelchair.

It was a distance that pulled all of Lizzys breath out of her.

Dont be mistaken. This test was designed against you from the start.

The trauma he had inflicted, how strong a leash it had become.

Ferzen arranged this event to find out the extent of it.

Of course, there was also the reason that the only other way to conduct the test after Ruefeld Forest was blown away was for Ferzen to use his digitization skill to grade the student based on the synchronization rate shown only to him, and not the actual result.

Rather than being unreasonable, it could be seen as a well-balanced method.

Is this a satisfactory explanation?

Heu! Keheuk!

Even though there was nowhere to run anymore.

Creak!

As if trying to erase his presence, Lizzy crouched down, showing only her back to him.

You are not even following the most basic of etiquette.

Ferzen spoke in low volume as he saw her antics before gently grabbing Lizzys wrists.

Ah Aaaah!

Flinch!

As if convulsing, the corner of Lizzys mouth shook violently.

That was just how much the fact that Ferzen touched her skin scared and terrorized her.

Even when she was pushed to her limits, she still found the strength to keep going.

Lizzy even saved energy by not uttering a single word of protest and just tried putting up a fight.

Creak.

Creak.

As the wheelchair shook, her delicate and pure white wrists were dyed red.

Heub! Ah ! Ah

But her arms slowly parted in his grasp, so easily, so effortlessly, making her resistance futile.

In the end, when her body, which she had been holding tightly in her arms, was exposed to Ferzen

Tight!

Lizzy closed her eyes.

However, the more she blocked her vision, the more sensitive her hearing became.

Lizzy.

Her ears heard Ferzens voice more clearly than ever.

Conversation is something that should be done while looking at the other persons face.

If she couldnt even adhere to such basic courtesy,

I I guess I cant help but see you as a bad child.

Ha Ugh Heuk!

Ferzen Von Schweig Louerg.

His idea of right and wrong was nothing more than a variable and subjective yardstick to harass a certain girl.

It was a worthless standard that shouldnt even be followed.

However, Lizzy, who had already lost the confidence to judge it, simply did not want to be labeled as a bad child by Ferzen

So, she forcibly opened her trembling eyes and looked at his face with her distinct purple eyes.

Ah Heub!

Her breath was caught in her throat.

Her focus, which had come back to her, faded again.

Then, the scene from the nightmare overlapped with reality.

It seemed to her that Ferzen, who was holding her hands, would pull his hideous shaft out and terribly destroy her womanhood.

Ha Ha! Ha Haaak!

Lizzys breath became more and more irregular.

Since Ferzen had a lot of miscellaneous knowledge, he recognized that what was happening to Lizzy was an early symptom of hyperventilation.

In her case, it must be due to a mental problem rather than a physical one.

So, Ferzen released his grip that was on her wrist, returned to the chair behind him, and gently sat down.

Then Lizzys breathing started to relax once again.

Eu Heu Ha Haa Haa

Her overly tense body relaxed just like a dry piece of land experiencing the first rain after a long drought.

As he watched Lizzys shrinking form, Ferzen took a sip of the cooled black tea that had been poured into the teacup next to him and spoke.

Lizzy. Your father, who encouraged you to ask me to dance back then

Do you know what his intention was?

Lizzys eyes, which were shaking while staring at the floor, momentarily focused as she tried to capture the image of Ferzen in her eyes.

Did he ask you to be my first friend since I never showed up in social circles?

Clink.

Ferzen, who lowered the teacup back down, smiled.

Of course not.

Perhaps your father sent you to me because he was blinded by his lust for power.

Did he fail to see that I had turned down countless young ladies invitations?

You know Your eyes that looked up at me that day They were like the eyes of a mother that begged for food while holding a child who was about to starve to death.

So, on that night of the banquet.

How could your father not have left you a legacy or memory?

With a slight sneer on his lips, Ferzen spoke like a demon whispering to its victim.

Since her father was already deceased, the only way to determine the legacy is through their shared memories of the past.

Because of that, he could plant a seed of doubt in the back of her mind.

Since there was no way for him to intervene in her development at the end of her path

But it wasnt the case for her beginning. So, Ferzen implemented a method like he always did as the villain.

She already had her conviction broken, fearing that her family would die, she might want to give up sailing against the storm.

So

Listen to these whispers whenever you wish, Lizzy.

There was no such thing as an unstoppable train in life.

It just refused to stop.

Of course, Ferzen didnt expect her to be able to put brakes on her brothers.

But when the most important motive is taken away, all that is left is an obstinacy fueled by evil.

That leftover motive is something that is easy to stop.

Then Your test is over.

Her pitiful mind was wretched in a deep storm.

In the meantime, when Lizzy heard Ferzen say that she was free to leave, she immediately controlled her corpse through her unstable connection to push the wheelchair.

Creak-!!

However, just as she was about to leave the room,

If you leave as is you will only cause a commotion.

Ah

Now. Stop sniffling and lower your head even more.

Even though sunlight was unable to come into the room because it was raining, she could still see the shadow of Ferzen standing behind her, growing bigger and bigger, like the shadow of a beast about to attack her.

As soon as his large hands pressed onto her head, Lizzy could only bow her head down while obediently swallowing her sniffles.

Once you leave this room, dont say anything, and dont meet anyone. Just go to the bathroom and lightly wash your face.

He, heuk!

In the first place You need to go there, right?

Like playing the piano, his hand slid gently down her side and pressed her stomach, making Lizzy tremble and pull her legs together.

She didnt feel the need to urinate, but when she heard his voice and feel his touch, Lizzy felt a sudden, so she curled her slender hands into fists.

You did well in the final exam, Lizzy.

Click.

Ferzen stepped forward and kindly turned the doorknob to open the door.

Creaaaak!

An unpleasant noise echoed from the hinges of the wooden door.

But for now, the noise sounded very sweet to Lizzy.

Creak.

The wheelchair moved, and Lizzy was finally able to leave the hellish room.

Of course

She would not show her swollen face, marked with traces of tears, to anyone.

On top of that, she wouldnt let anyone hear her hoarse voice from all the crying she had done.

After seeing the departing Lizzy, who followed the advice he had given, Ferzen closed his eyes for a moment from the surging fatigue and spoke to the waiting knight.

Lets have breakfast with the students before leaving.

I understand.

Hmm

Certainly, he had drunk some tea a while ago.

But as thirst assaulted him again, Ferzen turned around and grabbed the teacup to quench his thirst.

In the meantime, the sound of the rain, which was still pouring, could slightly be heard through the closed window.

From a moral point of view Just how cruel were the things that I had said and done?

Gently touching the handle of the teacup, Ferzen smiled lightly.

Its a meaningless worry.

Because its difficult to strengthen justice.

After all, humans tend to reinforce what is already strong and make that their justice.

Thats right.

Just like that.

Thud.

After putting down his teacup, Ferzen left the room.

It was time to return.

* * * * *

After spending around half a day returning to the capital, Ferzen went straight to see the academy chairwoman, Princess Elizabeth.

He thought that even if he couldnt take it, the meeting would only take around 5 to 6 hours.

However, since he was the target of the enemys assassination, the investigation was postponed by a day to allow him time to recuperate.

In his heart, he wanted to express his willingness to cooperate immediately, but considering the amount of fatigue he had accumulated, Ferzen accepted the delay without much argument.

Clack!

Upon leaving Princess Elizabeths office, Ferzen could see so many knights and wizards from the Wizard Corps standing in a row.

He sighed and opened his mouth.

If I say I dont need any of you, it will be difficult for those who have received the order, wont it?

Yes. Thats right

Since he was planning to go to Louerg immediately after the investigation was finished anyway, Ferzen accepted the presence of the escorts, thinking that he would endure it until then.

Lets go.

SWith the vacation underway, the academy exuded an atmosphere that was usually absent calm and serene.

Ferzen descended to the first floor of the main building with the escorts in tow.

Then, as he walked toward the parking lot entrance where the carriage was parked,

He saw Lizzy and Roer engaged in a conversation.

What coil they be talking about?

Although Ferzen was curious and interested in their discussion, he also yearned to go home and rest as soon as possible.

Ferzen prioritized his needs and took a leisurely step.

Stomp.

The footsteps of numerous knights and wizards following him broke the silence.

Lizzy and Roer, engrossed in their conversation, turned their heads at that moment.

Both looked at Ferzen as he walked toward them.

However, Lizzy soon lowered her purple eyes to the floor

As for Roer, he stared directly right at him.

Step.

Perhaps thats why Ferzen, about to pass by, stopped for a moment and calmly said a few words to Roer, who stood rigid like a plaster statue.

You are a very lucky man.

Dont you think so? Sir Roer.

If he was affiliated with the knight order, he would have heard the rough outline of what had happened to them.

It was not difficult to discern the true meaning behind Ferzens words.

Take care.

Flap.

After giving him a fake smile and patting him on the back a few times, Ferzen opened his umbrella.

Then, he took the step that had been halted and left the building, entering the still-raining outdoors.

This is not the way to the parking lot Is there anyone you would like to meet?

I have one child to take with me.

Then I will tell the coachman to move the carriage towards the building in advance.

Theres no need to do that. Ive decided to give up on riding the carriage. Since so many of you suddenly came without a warning, I have no choice but to walk.

We are very sorry.

If your superiors had their way, you would be in an even sorrier state.

Haha

Seeing the knights innocent smile, Ferzen turned his head.

Laura de Charles Rosenberg.

Originally, Ferzen had expected to attend to his duty for a while, so he instructed her to wait in the dormitory.

Since circumstances had changed, he had no choice but to visit her himself.

As he passed by the flower beds on the way to Dormitory A, the unique scent of rain-washed earth assaulted his nose

Rustle.

Then, when he heard a rustling sound from a nearby bush, Ferzen turned his head.

That

A snake that had swallowed a squirrel released in the Academys garden was slithering away into the woods.

I

Poisonous or not, the snake could pose a threat to the students, prompting a knight to swiftly approach it.

Woosh!

However, at that moment, a falcon swooped down amidst the light raindrops, snatched the snake with its sharp claws, and soared back into the air in an instant.

Tsk

The knight made a sound of frustration, but Ferzen merely tilted his umbrella slightly and kept his gaze fixed on the hawk until it disappeared.

The law of the jungle.

It would never change, no matter how many years pass.

It was the most beautiful natural order.

TL note: Izzah big boi chapter!

Btw we should be Lizzy-free for a while after this chapter..For at least 20 or so chapters idk, i have to read forward some more.

Also Its time for me be shameless once more, so here we go!